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Berber and Oriental Dance
Workshop
Spa
Edition : 11 Days
in Morocco
Romance
and Grace of the East
Air Included from New York
The
romance and grace of the East, the Harem, the sophisticated, cultured
ladies of the Harem; the grace, the skill, the allure. "belly dancing
was only one of the cultural delights of the Harem. Come and see them
all!
While
you're here, get to know Moroccan cuisine , and even attend a belly
dancing workshop to experience the romance of the Harem firsthand."
You've seen--you've felt--the rhythms and motions of oriental dance
in the movies, or, more genuinely, during your travels in the East.
Now, we afford you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the sensuous
art of belly dancing and other oriental rhythms during a stay in Morocco.
You'll attend daily dance workshops in the fabulous desert fortress
that is Marrakech. Of course, you'll have time to see the palaces and
souks of the city as well. And your guide will use her network of contacts
to Provide an entrée to Moroccan home life and customs as rarely experienced
by outsiders. Join us for this unique experience.
DAY
1 - DEPARTURE FOR MOROCCO Saturday
We'll take off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport,
bound for Morocco. Departure on the first Saturday of each month
DAY
2 - MARRAKECH Sunday (BD)
Our Morocco-based personnel will greet you at the international airport
of Casablanca, and assist you with the formalities. Those arriving directly
from New York on Royal Air Maroc will be offered a complimentary tour
of the Great Mosque of Hassan II, then will join participants arriving
on British Airways on a short flight onward to Marrakech. On arrival
in Marrakech, our local staff will greet you and usher you to the superior
(four-star) Tikida Garden Resort Spa Hotel.
You'll have time to relax with a mint tea in the local style, and to
stretch your legs. In the evening, we'll meet with our dance workshop
instructor.
DAY
3 - MARRAKECH , The Flavors of Morocco Monday (BLD)
After breakfast, it's time for our first workshop, a two-hour session
of belly dance and Berber/folk dance. But it isn't all serious study!
One
of the special ways of understanding a culture is through its cuisines--not
only sampling exotic tastes, but experiencing the preparation of dishes,
how they figure in ritual and ceremony, and how they have grown out
of the earth and traditions, we'll proceed to the Ecole Hotelière,
Marrakech's own hospitality & Culinary Academy and training school,
for a demonstration of the preparation of pastry-style doughs. We'll
stay for a lunch of salads, tagine of Maghdour kebab, and refreshing
fruits.
In the afternoon, we'll see some of the sites of this city, which Winston
Churchill called "the most beautiful place in the world at sunset"!
Our stops will include the Koutoubia, the landmark mosque of the city,
with a tower that duplicates the Giralda of Seville, in Spain; the hidden
tombs of the Saadian dynasty; the Menara pavilion and gardens; the ruins
of sprawling Badi Palace; the Bahia Palace, with room after stately
oriental room of intricate plasterwork and sedate hidden gardens; the
Ben Yousef medersa; and the Koubba (chapel) of el-Ba'adiyn. We'll return
to our hotel for dinner.
DAY
4 - MARRAKECH Tuesday (BLD)
We'll have another three-hour dance workshop in the morning, covering
belly dance and other forms of oriental dance, then we'll
rendezvous at the Yacout restaurant, this time to see the detailed preparation
of bestilla. In this uniquely Moroccan dish, a squab or chicken is prepared
in a sauce of lemon, egg, almond and onion, enveloped in a thin dough
called warfa, and garnished with cinnamon and sugar. We'll stay for
lunch , on bestilla, of course.
After lunch , we'll set out to discover the souks of Marrakech, those
labyrinthine warrens of stalls and shops where goods from near and far
have changed hands over the centuries. We'll have a chance to witness
artisans at work, creating the very goods that are on display, including
crafters of fine brassware, and tanners and dyers of skins, working
over great open-air crocks that appear to survive from another world.
Of course, we'll save time for Djemaa el-Fna square, with its circus
atmosphere of itinerant dancers, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers, soothsayers,
snake charmers, medicine men, water sellers, and public scribes. Our
eventful day concludes with a fine Moroccan dinner in a private room
at Dar Haj Idder, accompanied by an oriental band, and dancing--which
we can now join in!
DAY
5 - MARRAKECH Wednesday (BD)
After our morning session of belly dance and oriental dance, we'll spend
the afternoon in a hammam, the traditional Moroccan steam bath, with
scrubbing and a ritual all its own. We'll return to our hotel for dinner.
we'll spend the afternoon in a hammam
the traditional Moroccan steam bath, with scrubbing and a ritual all
its own.
DAY
6 - MARRAKECH Thursday (BLD)
We'll have our morning dance workshop. Then it's time for an unusual
excursion into Moroccan culture, through a henna party. The painting
of hands and body and the coloring of hair with this natural red dye
are a symbol of joy at weddings and a way of enhancing one's beauty.
We'll all share in this time-honored tradition. Dinner will be in a
private room at the Douirya. Once again, we'll have a band, and the
occasion to practice our dancing.
DAY
7 - MARRAKECH Friday (BD)
This morning, we'll have our last dance workshop--and we'll reflect
on how far we've progressed in just a few days! Then we'll spend an
afternoon getting to know Moroccan culture through its food, as we visit
a local family and learn how to prepare traditional pastries. We'll
return to our hotel for dinner.
DAY
8 - MARRAKECH Saturday (BLD)
You'll have free time this morning to relax, or to explore Marrakech
on your own. Perhaps you'll take a steam bath, or explore the newer
part of town, with its wide boulevards and sidewalk cafés. We've set
aside the afternoon for a return visit to the souks, where you can shop
to your heart's content for brassware, leather, carpets, basketry, and
many other goods and crafts from near and far. Of course, every price
is individually set, depending on the quality of the wares and your
skill at bargaining. Our farewell dinner will be set in a private room
at the Diaffa, to the accompaniment of an oriental band. We'll try out
our newly acquired skills, and a jury will select the recipient of an
oriental dance costume, valued at $500. May the best dancer win!
DAY
9 - WELLNESS, SPA, FITNESS (B) Sunday
Two days to luxuriate yourself in the SPA: you will have 4 different
treatments - according to your own choice and the advice of the professional
staff on site - for a total of 2 hours per day alternatively on mornings
and afternoons.
Bathrobe, sandals and towels are provided. Just bring your swimsuit
and bonnet !
DAY 10
- WELLNESS, SPA, FITNESS (B) Monday THE
TIKIDA SPA
Facilities offer:
Heated Fresh Water swimming pool *
Hydro- massages
Algo-therapy *
Jet Shower cabin
Fusion shower * Massage Rooms
Cellu M6 room * Presso-therapy
room
Facial- care rooms * Aerobics – Fitness : 2 work out rooms with
Fitness machines and Cardio .
Traditional Hammam, with steam room .
Beauty salon : hair dresser, hand and foot care, Henna Tattooing
DAY 11 - DEPARTURE FROM MARRAKECH (B)
Tuesday
After breakfast, our local personnel will call for you and see you to
Marrakech Menara airport to begin your journey home, via Casablanca.
Bon Voyage.
RATES
per person in US from New York:
| In
Triple occupancy |
US$
2950.00 |
| In
Double occupancy |
US$
3000.00 |
| In
Single occupancy |
US$
3960.00 |
Rate
includes:
- Round-trip
air fare from New York to Marrakech and return, via Casablanca, including
taxes. (Please inquire about attractive add-on fares available from
other cities through Travel in Style.) . Most West Coast cities :
$250 add on based on round trip with tax included.
- All ground
transportation in Morocco Accommodation in first-class (four-star)
hotel in Marrakech.
- Meals as
indicated with preset menu (B = continental breakfast, L = lunch,
D = dinner)
- Oriental
dance workshop and classes as indicated in private meeting room at
hotel.
- Guided
tours, excursions, and activities as described, including the services
of a lady guide, and all entry fees.
- Three
private Moroccan dinners as described Prize to winner of competition
on last evening, as described
- Spa Service
& facilities use as prescribed.
Not
Included:
Notes:
While there may not be a whole lot of social situations to which the
average North American woman can bring skills as a seductive belly dancer,
the rhythms of Oriental dance are fun to learn, rewarding to master,
flattering to the figure, and aid to fitness. This newest vacation adventure
from Travel In Style is based on storied dessert fortress city of Marrakech.
Henna party: One of the "insiders" excursions into Moroccan culture,
a chance to attend a henna party, the painting of hands and body and
the coloring of hair with this natural red dye is a symbol of joy at
weddings and regarded as a way to enhance one's beauty
Your
Hotel / Spa : Tikida Garden Hotel – 4 Stars:
A genuine garden-hotel located at the very heart of the "Palmeraie"
at 3 kilometers from downtown Marrakech, the Tikida Garden is
a superb resort. With its remarkable Moor-Hispanic architecture, set
in the heart of a seven hectares park, the Tikida Garden is a haven
of peace and tranquility.
Upon arrival at the hotel you'll be welcomed with the Moroccan
Mint tea and a complimentary fruit basket in
* The Tikida Garden Resort is an ideal place for golf and tennis lovers.
Could also be a perfect setting for an exotic wedding ceremony or
your birthday party.
Your hotel Spa offers:
-
Heated-pool
in winter, free shuttle service to downtown Marrakech
-
-
"The
Forum", Congress Center
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Fitness
and spa center complete with balneo therapy cures, hair and beauty
salon.
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-
-
Souvenir
shop & boutique , jewelry store.
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